Protection against viruses

Protecting the body from viruses is a particularly important issue these days. What to use for extra protection against virus attacks?

For the sake of health in the age of pandemics, we protect ourselves in two ways. ‘From the outside’ – by wearing masks, washing and disinfecting hands, observing social distance and ‘from the inside’ – by building up the body’s immunity with vaccinations and vitamin supplements. In antiviral prophylaxis, it is also possible to use topical protection – directly at the site of viral entry, i.e. in the nose and mouth.

Virus attack

The nose and throat are major ‘transit routes’ for viruses (including the coronavirus) to enter the upper respiratory tract, penetrate cells, and multiply there [1]. The condition of the mucous membrane that lines the nose and throat is of utmost importance in warding off pathogen attacks, as it is the body’s first physical barrier and the first line of defence for the immune system. However, the mucous membrane can only protect us if it is in good physiological condition itself and has the right protective layer.

What destroys it? The dry and overheated air of the rooms we stay in, smog, smoking, and even the topical use of certain medications – all these irritate and dry out the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. This in turn can open the floodgates to virus attack...

Immediate protection

How to immediately improve the condition of the mucous membrane and ensure that it is additionally moisturised and protects against infections? It is enough to cover it with substances that will form a protective layer on it, which will support the barrier properties of the nasal mucosa and constitute a mechanical barrier against the pathogens penetrating into the body and multiplying. Clinical studies have proved the effectiveness of substances that form a kind of protective shield against viruses when used together in our nose and mouth. These are:

  • Carrageenan, which binds directly to the virus but does not bind to cells, thus stopping viruses and preventing migration into cells. Thus, carrageenan disrupts the life cycle of the virus at a very early stage due to its physical mechanism of action.
  • Ectoine, which acts as a moisturizing and protective agent for the nasal mucosa.
  • Sodium hyaluronate, which is a humectant, helps retain water, increases viscosity of the solution. Thanks to its mucoadhesive properties and ability to retain water, it gives the product adhesive properties to the mucous membrane, which prolongs the time of gel presence on the mucous membranes.

All these substances can be found in a new medical device – Bloxivir, which creates a ‘shield’ on the mucous membrane immediately after application, blocking the way for viruses to enter the body cells. Bloxivir is intended for daily protection against viral infections. It will be appreciated by anyone who wants to further protect themselves and/or others in everyday situations from contracting viruses and coronaviruses that cause the common cold, flu and COVID-19. Bloxivir can be used by adults and children over one year of age.

 

Footnotes:

[1] 1 https://eu.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2020/03/13/what-coronavirus-does-body-covid-19-infection-process-symptoms/5009057002/

[2] Tzianabos A.O.: Polysaccharide Immunomodulators as Therapeutic Agents: Structural Aspects and Biologic Function. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 13, pp. 523-533, 2000.

[3] Savita R.K, Sandhya S.D.: Polysaccharides as immunomodulators. Indian Drugs. 38, pp. 341-346, 2001.

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